(a) A physical therapist shall adhere to the recognized standards of ethics of the physical therapy profession as established by the Physical Therapist Code of Ethic;
(b) Use of Titles and Terms; Restrictions; Classification of Violation
(1) A physical therapist shall use the letters “PT” immediately following the physical therapist’s name to designate licensure under this subchapter.
(2) A physical therapist who has graduated from a DPT program may use the title “Doctor of Physical Therapy.” A physical therapist holding a DPT or other doctoral degree must not use the title “Doctor” without also clearly informing the public of his profession as a physical therapist. Use of the title must be in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(3) A person or business entity, its employees, agents or representatives shall not use in connection with that person’s name or the name or activity of the business, the words “physical therapy”, “physical therapist”, “physiotherapist”, “registered physical therapist”, “doctor of physical therapy”, the letters “PT” “DPT”, “LPT”, “RPT” or any other words, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying directly or indirectly that physical therapy is provided or supplied, unless such services are provided by or under the direction of a physical therapist licensed pursuant to this subchapter. A person or business entity shall not advertise or otherwise promote another person as being a “physical therapist” or “physiotherapist” unless the individual so advertised or promoted is licensed as a physical therapist under this subchapter. A person or business entity that offers, provides, or bills any other person for services shall not characterize those services as “physical therapy” or “physiotherapy” unless the individual performing those services is a person licensed as a physical therapist under this subchapter.
(4) A physical therapist assistant shall use the letters “PTA” immediately following the physical therapist assistant’s name to designate licensure under this subchapter.
(5) A person shall not use the title “physical therapist assistant”, the letters “PTA” or any other words, abbreviations or insignia in connection with that person’s name to indicate or imply, directly or indirectly, that the person is a physical therapist assistant unless that person is licensed as a physical therapist assistant pursuant to this subchapter.
(c) Patient Care Management
(1) A physical therapist is responsible for managing all aspects of the physical therapy care of each patient. A physical therapist shall provide:
(A) The initial evaluation and documentation of each patient;
(B) Reevaluation of those patients seen by a physical therapist assistant every 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first. For those patients seen through the Departments of Education or Health on a weekly or monthly basis by a physical therapist assistant, reevaluation by a physical therapist is to be completed every three months; and
(C) The documented discharge of the patient, including the patient’s response to treatment intervention at the time of discharge.
(2) A physical therapist shall assure the qualifications of all physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides under the physical therapist’s direction and supervision.
(3) For each patient on each date of service, a physical therapist shall provide all of the treatment intervention that requires the expertise of a physical therapist and shall determine the use of physical therapist assistants or physical therapy aides that provide for the delivery of care that is safe, effective and efficient.
(4) A physical therapist assistant shall work under a physical therapist’s supervision. A physical therapist assistant shall document the care he provides.
(5) A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant may use unlicensed persons for designated routine tasks.
(6) A physical therapist’s responsibility for patient care management includes accurate documentation and billing of the services provided.